Gerri woke when the engine noise died. She stared up at Wen. He smiled.
“Did you sleep well?”
“I take it we’re not in Nevada anymore?”
“Washington,” Micah answered from the front. He opened the door. “I’m going to secure my baby. It’s getting windy.”
Wen helped Gerri sit up and she stared out the windows. It seemed to be another private airport and they were parked near a few other small aircraft. “Looks like we’re in the burbs.”
“Burbs?”
“It’s what I call the middle of nowhere.”
“Micah picked this place for a reason. The security here is shit. That’s good for us. We have to pick up the rental car I ordered and drive a few hours to reach where we need to be tonight.”
“Fun.”
He lifted her and climbed over the seat, opened the door, then helped her out. She didn’t protest as he gripped her hips and gently deposited her on her feet. The wind whipped at her hair and she shivered, chilled by it after being so comfortable on Wen’s lap.
“You’d think it would be warmer since it’s summer.”
“I blame the humans,” Micah called out, hooking straps that were clipped to the ground to the wings of the plan. “Global warming from all their pollution. These freaky summer storms happen more and more.”
Wen rolled his eyes and then winked at Gerri. “But he won’t come live in Alaska. I’ve asked.”
“No fucking way. You make me land my plane and take off on an old road when I fly up there. I like actual airports. I’m no bush pilot.”
Gerri listened to them chat as she stretched her legs and watched another small plane land. It slowed as it came down the strip and then the pilot drove in their direction. “Company,” she warned.
“It doesn’t matter.” Wen shrugged. “We weren’t followed. Nobody knew I was coming.”
“Do you want me to get the car while you handle business here? Make sure they refuel my baby?” Micah stared at Wen.
He nodded. “Take her with you.”
Micah opened the side compartment and got their bags out. He tossed her backpack at Wen, then another one. The last thing in the storage compartment was a duffle bag with a strap that Micah shoved over his shoulder. He locked the panel down and then winked at Gerri. “Come on, G.L. Let’s go pick up the rental.”
“Her name is Gerri,” Wen ground out.
“Sorry.” Micah smiled though, not looking sincere at all.
Gerri paused. “What are you going to do?” She stared up at Wen.
“He’s going to make use of his eyes with the airport employees so we’re not technically here and I don’t get charged for using their airport.” Micah stepped closer and lowered his voice. “He wanted no trace of where we’ve traveled this time.”
Wen scowled. “Shut it.”
She thought about it. “You don’t want anyone to know you were in Reno?”
He sighed. “No.”
“I take it your clan doesn’t know you asked me to help you out?”
Wen shook his head. “As far as they know, you dropped off their radar when your mother took you away. I’m keeping it that way.”
“Would Trayis be mad?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Your parents,” she guessed.
He lifted their backpacks and strode away. “I’ll meet you soon.”
Gerri watched him go and clenched her teeth.
“Hey.”
She turned her head, looking at Micah.
“Don’t bust his balls too hard. He’s had it rough for the past thirteen years since Gerbin was killed. Did he tell you how it happened?”
“If you haven’t noticed, he’s not the most talkative person.”
Micah snorted. “True. Come on. We’ve got a car to get, and I’ll fill in the details since he won’t.”
He took off toward the large building and she hurried to keep up with him. “I’m listening.”
“Did you ever meet Gerbin?”
“Of course, but he wasn’t around much. He preferred hanging with the adults when he was home. It hurt Wen’s feelings but he used to pretend it didn’t.”
“Gerbin was hard-core, you know? Serious. He visited our pack a lot since Trayis’s mother and brother are pack.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Half-brothers, actually. Trayis and Arlis shared a Lycan mother. She was my mom’s best friend. We’re based in Colorado, with five other packs in the area. Three are friendly but two weren’t. One of them wanted our territory and they attacked us.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Arlis became our alpha after that attack. He lost his parents and stepped up. Our pack managed to fight them off but we suffered heavy casualties. Trayis was furious that his mother was killed, and he wasn’t about to lose his brother too. Gerbin became our guardian angel. Some Lycan packs make alliances with GarLycans, to gain a guardian to protect them from enemies, but they expect something in return.”
“Like what?”
“Access to our women, if any of the GarLycans are seeking mates. Trayis didn’t want that for us. A lot of our pack are related to his clan. The Lycans who founded our pack came from Alaska. He gave us Gerbin as a guardian without any strings.”
“I know the history. The first-generation VampLycan grew up and the Lycans who raised them decided to leave.”
“Having that many alpha types fuck up a pack structure, and there was a lot of fear after what happened with the Vampires.”
“They thought there’d be a repeat? That the VampLycans might tear into Lycan minds and force them into breeding like the Vamps did?”
He shrugged, leading her to the front of the building and opening the door, waving her inside. “Maybe. The elders won’t admit that though, if that was the case. It’s my take on it. Anyway, after the attack on our pack, Gerbin was assigned to us almost full time while we recovered. He tracked the survivors of the pack that was responsible. Sometimes they fled into cities trying to hide.”
“Into Vampire territory,” she guessed.
“Yes. Gerbin didn’t mind. Wen and his parents see him as a saint, but the truth is, he was kind of bloodthirsty. Don’t say I said that. It would upset my cousin. Gerbin liked the killing and went after nests for the fun of it when he got bored. It ended up getting him killed. Wen tries to be as big a hero as he thinks his brother was. His parents expect it of him. I’ve watched the pressure he’s under change him. So give him a break, because he sure as hell won’t take it easy on himself. His life was taken away when his brother died. He stepped into Gerbin’s shoes. It fucking sucks.”
She let all that information sink in. “I love him.”
“I realize. He loves you too. I know the stuff you learned about Sherry upset you, but he doesn’t care about her the way he does you.” He stopped by the customer service counter, lowering his voice. “I’ve flirted with Sherry many times. Wen didn’t give a shit. He snarls at me for even using your nickname. He’d beat me nearly to death if I even joked about kissing you.”
A man walked out of the back room and Micah smiled. “Hey. My girlfriend and I had a rental dropped off here for pickup.” He withdrew his wallet. “I’m Fred Tobis. I got an SUV. Have they delivered it yet?”
“I need to use the restroom, Fred.” She wondered why he was using a fake name but she went along with it.
“Hurry back, sweets.” Micah winked. “I’ll miss you.” He turned to the guy. “We’re going to visit her family so I can ask her dad for her hand in marriage.”
She smiled and blew him a kiss. “I’ll hurry.”
She fled to the ladies’ room and used the toilet. Everything Micah said kept circling in her mind as she washed her hands afterward and finger combed some of the worst tangles out of her hair. But it was what he hadn’t said that bothered her.
Wen would never go against his parents’ wishes. He’d never mate her. His entire life had become about being a replacement for Gerbin.
She left the bathroom to find Micah waiting outside the door. “That was fast.”
He smiled and turned. She followed him outside. The man who’d been behind the counter pulled up in a blue SUV. Micah signed the papers, took the keys, and opened the passenger door for her. He tossed his duffle in the back before taking the driver’s seat. They pulled away.
“What about Wen?”
“We’ll pick him up soon. We didn’t want anyone seeing the three of us traveling together from the airport.”
“Oh.”
“He usually doesn’t hide his travels, but now I know why this time is different.” He pulled over to the side of the road a block away from the airport. “Have any ID? Give it to me and I’ll hold it while you’re with him. I want your cell too. You don’t want any of the bastards you’re going up against to learn your real identity.”
She hesitated but then slipped her driver’s license and ATM card out of her pocket. It was tougher to give up her phone. “Please don’t lose them.”
“I won’t. I’ll be staying in a hotel not far from where you’re going as backup. My brother is meeting me there. Wen said he had this, but we’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Graves?”
He arched his eyebrows. “You’ve met my brother?”
“No but Wen has had him keeping tabs on me. He admitted as much.”
He nodded. “Graves does a few jobs for Wen that I don’t ask about, just like he doesn’t usually ask me where I fly our cousin.”
“Thanks for sticking around in case we need help.”
“Family should always have your back. How good are you at remember numbers?”
“Why?”
“I want you to memorize my cell phone number. You get into trouble, call. We’ll come.”
“Tell it to me.”
He repeated it about six times before she nodded.
Movement caught her attention and she turned in her seat. Wen yanked open the back passenger door and tossed in their backpacks. He got in and shut the door. “Let’s go.”
* * * * *
Wen glared in the rearview mirror at his cousin, who avoided meeting his gaze. He didn’t like the way Micah kept talking to Gerri and smiling. He wasn’t being as flirtatious as normal but it pissed him off all the same. Every time Gerri laughed at something his cousin said, he clenched his fists tighter.
“Are we almost there?” He tried to keep his tone light.
“Soon.” Micah finally looked at him and grinned. “So, Gerri, what is your favorite color?”
“Blue,” Wen stated.
“Red,” she blurted at the same time. She turned in her seat. “I’m not fifteen anymore, Wen. Blue used to be my favorite color.” She faced forward. “I took a painting class a few years ago for fun and my teacher said there are two hundred and eighty-five shades of red. Isn’t that cool? I like the darker hues.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Wen growled. “So will I.”
Micah met his gaze in the rearview mirror and Wen gave him a killing look. His cousin cleared his throat and became silent. Time passed without anyone speaking until they reached a crowded part of Seattle.
“I’ll drop you off here,” Micah announced, pulling over to a curb. “There’s a diner down the street and you’re only a few miles from your target.”
Wen shoved open the door, hooked both backpacks, and got out. Gerri did too. She waved at his cousin. He caught her hand and tugged. “Come on.”
“What crawled up your ass?”
He stared down at her. “Excuse me?”
“You’re in a really bad mood. I’m the bait, so if anyone has the right to act that way, it should be me.”
“Why will he remember what your favorite color is?”
She frowned. “Are you jealous?”
“No.” He hesitated. “Did he hit on you while you were getting the rental?”
“Of course not. He’s your cousin. Give me a break.”
“He’s a player. I can’t keep track of his girlfriends. He never stays with one woman for long.”
She arched her eyebrows.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt later.”
Her lips pressed together.
“What?”
“You’re not going to be around, so what do you care? You’ve made it clear you’re only going to be part of my life for a short time. You’ll be back in Alaska, or with Sherry—if I even survive this.”
He tightened his hold on her and jerked her closer. “It’s over with her. I will never touch her again. I swear on the life of my parents. She means nothing.”
She lowered her gaze to his chest. “Put your sunglasses on. Your eyes just went all evil version of Lycan.”
He let her go, uttered a curse, and pulled them out of his pocket to cover them. “Better?”
She lifted her chin, regarding him with a sad expression. “I’m not going to fight with you. We’ve done that enough. I’m getting tired of it, aren’t you? There’s no reason for you to be mad. Your cousin was just being nice to me, nothing more, and I swear I’ll never sleep with him, okay? I’m so not interested. Spare me the promise about Sherry too. You can’t ever mate me and you’re not going to be a monk. She’s in the same boat I am.”
“What does that mean?”
“We’re just filler in your life until you have to settle down with a VampLycan. Now…I’m starving. We missed lunch and it’s dinnertime. Plus, the Vamps will come out soon. We’ll be hunting them or they’ll come after us. Either way, I don’t want to deal with that confrontation on an empty stomach.”
“Don’t ever say that you mean so little to me again.”
“Fine.”
“You’re in a shit mood.”
“So are you.”
She was right. “I’m sorry.” He tried to calm. “I’m just worried.”
“Me too. I don’t like being bait.”
“You’re not bait. You’re leverage.”
“So you keep saying. What’s the difference again?” She headed toward the diner.
He followed. “They’ll see you as valuable because Horton needs me. That means they won’t risk hurting you.”
“You’re assuming he’s somewhat sane and rational.”
They entered the diner and took a quiet seat in a corner, far from the windows. He put his back to the wall so he could watch the other customers and see the door. The bags were shoved to the floor by their feet. Gerri sat across from him. The waitress brought them drinks, took their orders, and all the while, Wen mused over the choices he’d made.
“Why are you being so quiet?”
He pulled himself from his thoughts. “Just going over possible scenarios,” he lied.
“Like what?”
“I’m gearing up for what’s to come.”
“Fine. You do that. I’ll just sit here.”
He knew she was irritated but he ignored her, letting his gaze dart around the room, watching for threats. It was a dangerous mission. He never should have brought Gerri in on it, and part of him blamed Lavos. He really liked the lead enforcer of Lorn’s clan, but the guy had mated a human. Wen had felt envy. All he thought about was Gerri, how much he missed her, and that ache had become so strong he’d just wanted to see her again. That’s why he’d volunteered to go after Horton. He knew it would send him out into the human world and he’d seen a chance to spend time with her.
It was selfish. Seeing the hurt she’d felt over his sex life had made him realize just how difficult saying goodbye to her would be for them both. Regret came next. She’d admitted that it had taken her a lot of time to get over him. He should have left her alone. He hadn’t been thinking about what was best for her.
He shot furtive glances at her as she played with the wrapper from her straw. The phone in his pocket had him itching to call Micah to come pick her up. She’d be safer with his cousin. He could come up with another plan that didn’t involve her. She looked up and caught him watching her.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit. You should see the expression on your face right now. If you grind your teeth any tighter, I think your might break something. What’s wrong?” She tensed and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Did someone come in who’s a threat?”
He scanned the room again and inhaled. “No. Only humans are eating with us.”
The waitress brought their burgers and fries. Gerri waited until she’d left before speaking again.
“Let me guess. Are you rethinking taking me on this mission with you?”
“How did you know?”
She smiled. “We grew up together. You got that same look when you came up with that plan to build us a tree house and then realized what would happen if I ever fell out of it. It scared you, watching me climb up and down to our hideaway, and you always kept close so you could grab me.” She licked her lips. “Yeah. Same expression now as then.”
“Maybe it’s best if I have Micah come back for you.”
“I lost my job.” Her eyes narrowed. “I flew in a plane to get here.” She picked up her burger, glanced at it, then stared at him. “As stupid as it is for me to say this, there’s no going back.”
“That’s not true.”
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. “I smell like you. It’s put a target on my back, and you promised to stay with me until I don’t. Suck it up, buttercup. Believe me, if I wasn’t all in on your crazy plan, I’d have ditched you as soon as that plane landed.”
“Why?”
“You know why.” She bit into her burger, dropping her gaze.
Sherry. She wasn’t going to let that go. Damn. He had a lot of regrets already, and now he could add to them. He wished he’d never slept with the lawyer. He knew how deeply that jealousy could burn—he’d felt it every time Graves had told him G.L. was dating some man. She hadn’t lived with any of them, so he’d been able to tell himself she couldn’t be in a serious relationship. Sometimes he even liked to pretend she hadn’t allowed any of them to take her to bed. He knew better now though, after sleeping with her. She hadn’t been a virgin.
“Stop thinking what you are, Wen.”
“You don’t know what is on my mind.”
She snorted and took a sip of her drink. “I’m in this. I’ve had time to think more since you told me your crazy plan. You’ve got to get close to this zombie maker, and showing up with me is about the only thing that’s going to convince him you’re not there to wipe him off the Earth. Let’s face it, it’s so insane that it just might work. I mean, your backup is a human. They’re never going to suspect the VampLycans put you up to this.”
“I know. I’m still worried about you though.”
“I don’t want you tortured and killed, Wen. You go in alone without me and that’s probably what will happen. I’m leverage for them to use against you, remember? It’s a good plan. We’re doing this together. I have your back.”
He stared at her, knowing if he got her killed, he’d never forgive himself.